MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 342: Ginko’s Information

After Ginko explained, Xin glanced at Hilda for confirmation but then realized Seraphim was also present.

He didn’t want to raise any eyebrows by questioning Hilda about a lore that unfolded thousands of years ago.

"How interesting," Seraphim muttered.

Hilda crossed her arms and took a deep breath. "I did hear about that story before."

She must have been told about the history as a princess of a Dwarven Kingdom. Xin mused.

Ginko continued, "Among the most potent Yokai was Satomi, the Nine-Tailed Kitsune. She made the ultimate sacrifice, triggering the dormant volcano to erupt, burying the humanoids in lava and ash.

"Satomi’s love for her people led her to offer her life for their sake. However, her lieutenants intervened, preserving her essence within a massive, radiant ruby as her body and spirit slowly regenerated.

"Now, the Yokai are spread all over the world and build their community in hiding. In this village, Yamamura, is where the Kitsune have built their territory, and currently, Satomi is located and still recovering. However the Kitsunes are still hostile against humanoids."

"Nine tails . . . ," Seraphim muttered, her voice surprised and filled with excitement.

Xin threw her a dead look. He knew that she wanted to capture it somehow, but it was highly unlikely because Satomi is the leader of the Kitsune, more likely a world boss than a pet.

"Satomi . . ." It was a name of a woman. Hilda had a bad feeling. Why does it have to be another woman?!

Hilda bit her nails in frustration. She might have another rival for Lord Scrooge’s affection at this rate.

’I hope this Satomi is an old lady,’ Hilda shouted in her mind. Given her age, she might as well be.

"Is there another question you want to ask me?" Ginko offered.

Xin pressed another question.

[Who’s Satomi?]

"Satomi, often recognized as the Nine-Tailed Kitsune, emerges as a formidable and ancient spirit from a bygone era, nearly obscured by the mists of a thousand years. Even the eldest elves would not have witnessed her presence, yet tales of Satomi and her ilk have woven through myths and speculations for centuries.

"As a member of the Yokai, a spirit race nearly eradicated by humanoids, Satomi narrowly evaded annihilation at their hands. Now, a millennium after her fall, she stands poised to reclaim a foothold for her people in this transformed world.

"The looming question remains: can they coexist with humanoids in harmony, or is their fate destined to be entwined in another cycle of war and bloodshed?"

"So she’s a millennium years old?!" Hilda said in glee. "She must be really old right now. She must have wrinkles and frail and very old!" Her hope ignited.

Ginko shook his head. "Nope. Satomi doesn’t age. She retains her youth as a twenty-something woman, pretty and very young."

Hilda glared at him and gnashed her teeth. "How do you know?!"

"I sometimes accept missions from Satomi herself and often see her," Ginko said without care.

"That must be a fake! That must be another Yokai!" Hilda shouted in protest.

Ginko was surprised and took a step back in shock at her anger.

Why was she so mad? Xin and the others thought at the same time.

Xin decided to ignore her and pressed another question.

[Satomi’s Personality]

"Initially reserved, Satomi has just stirred from a millennium-long slumber, confronted with a world vastly altered during her dormancy. Her preference is to observe, often questioning the motives behind individuals’ actions.

"As she familiarizes herself with the world, her personality undergoes transformation, mirroring the aspects she witnesses. In the face of prevalent conflict, greed, and malevolence, she becomes cold and distant, distancing herself from humanoid concerns.

"Conversely, if met with compassion and understanding, she reciprocates in kind. While her trust is hard-earned and easily shattered, she remains open to the possibility that the world has evolved for the better.

"Acutely aware that the actions of a few do not condemn the entirety, she remains vigilant in not taking transgressions lightly, having suffered profound losses at the hands of humanoids."

"Seems catchable–I mean reasonable," Seraphim said.

Xin threw her another dead stare.

Though this question might be irrelevant, Xin thought that it held clues on how to approach Satomi and the Yokais as a whole.

But he didn’t need to think too much about it since he had his cheat. He would just talk to every NPC so they wouldn’t kill them if ever they entered the village.

Xin pressed another question.

[Satomi’s Goal]

"Satomi harbors a fervent desire to secure a place for her people. While she is prepared to carve out that space through force if necessary, her primary objective is the establishment of a genuine Yokai nation.

"She is willing to pay any price to ensure the safety of her people, even contemplating self-sacrifice if convinced it is the sole path to success. Failing that, she seeks the survival of her people, including herself.

"Acknowledging the inevitability of casualties in war, she consistently strives for courses of action resulting in the fewest Yokai deaths. This approach may shift based on her interactions with the players and the broader world; if persuaded that subjugating violent and unstable humanoids is a reasonable course, she may reconsider.

"Alternatively, if convinced that peace is the optimal choice, she actively pursues nonviolent resolutions to conflicts."

"You really seem to know this Satomi, huh?" Seraphim couldn’t help but comment.

"It’s an information on how we should approach Satomi and the Yokais," Xin told her.

Seraphim only shrugged. "I know that."

"Then don’t do anything stupid, like catching the nine-tail Kitsune," Xin warned her.

Seraphim only looked to the side and stifled a laugh. "What are you talking about?"

Those words were so hollow, Xin thought.

"Any other questions?" Ginko asked, and Xin pressed the last question.

[Yamamura Village]

"Yama-mura begins quite small, with only a few points of interest. While you’ll likely be thrown out and most likely be killed, but if you make a hard push for peace and impress the Yokai with your diplomatic efforts, you might be allowed past the ward."